Annunen made 22 saves before stopping all four Tampa Bay attempts in the shootout in a 5-4 win on Saturday.
It was Annunen's second consecutive win, but he's still just 2-1-0 in three starts this season. And his 3.89 GAA and .846 save percentage aren't spot-start worthy. Annunen is a placeholder this season; we'll see if he can develop further or simply slide farther into fantasy obscurity.
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Predators' Justus Annunen: Tending twine against Tampa
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Annunen will guard the home net in Saturday's clash against the Lightning, per Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site.
In his most recent appearance, Annunen picked up a convincing win against his former squad, the Colorado Avalanche, in Sunday's 6-2 win. Since recovering from an undisclosed injury to begin the season, he's posted a 1-1-0 record, a 4.00 GAA and an .846 save percentage across two outings. He'll face another tough test in Saturday's outing against the Lightning, who rank fifth in the NHL with 3.67 goals per game this season. If he can pick up another win, Annunen will start rapidly trending towards fantasy relevance as one of the more serviceable No. 2 options between the pipes in the NHL.
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Predators' Justus Annunen: Defeats former team
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Annunen stopped 19 of 21 shots in Sunday's 6-2 win over the Avalanche.
Annunen handled the second half of a back-to-back and delivered a good performance against a tough opponent. He was able to outplay the goalie he was traded for, Scott Wedgewood, to pick up his first win of the season. Annunen has given up eight goals on 52 shots over two starts, and he likely won't see a lot of playing time as Juuse Saros' backup. Expect Saros to get the nod for Tuesday's home game versus the Islanders.
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Predators' Justus Annunen: Expected to face Colorado
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Annunen is slated to start at home against Colorado on Sunday, per Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site.
Annunen made his first start of the season Thursday, stopping 25 of 31 shots en route to a 6-0 loss to Boston. He had a 10-12-2 record, 2.68 GAA and .906 save percentage in 28 regular-season outings with Nashville in 2025-26. Colorado ranks second in goals per game with 4.27 this season, so this figures to be a challenging assignment for Annunen.
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Predators' Justus Annunen: Abandoned by teammates in loss
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Annunen made 25 saves in a 6-0 loss to Boston on Thursday.
Annunen really didn't stand a chance Thursday. Even head coach Andrew Brunette called it the team's "worst effort of the year -- by far" after the game. Annunen delivered a .907 save percentage and 2.68 GAA in 23 starts (28 appearances; 10 wins) last season, so he does have talent. But the flashes of potential he flashed in Colorado are getting farther and farther away in the rearview mirror. There's little opportunity for the Finn to grow his game behind fellow Finn and star, Juuse Saros.
Annunen is expected to play on the road against Boston on Thursday, per Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site.
Annunen is gearing up for his first appearance of the 2026-27 campaign. He had a 10-12-2 record, 2.68 GAA and .906 save percentage in 28 regular-season outings with Nashville during 2025-26. Boston has dominated the early portion of the campaign, going 7-2-1 while averaging 3.60 goals per game.
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Predators' Justus Annunen: Activated off IR
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Annunen (undisclosed) has been taken off injured reserve ahead of Thursday's matchup with San Jose, per the NHL media site.
In addition to Annunen no longer being listed on injured reserve, it appears Matt Murray has been returned to the minors. As such, look for the 26-year-old Annunen to serve as the backup behind Juuse Saros against the Sharks.
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Predators' Justus Annunen: Considered game-time decision
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Annunen (undisclosed) is considered a game-time decision for Thursday's home matchup against San Jose, Alex Daugherty of The Tennessean reports.
Annunen was also deemed a game-time decision for Tuesday's matchup against the Golden Knights, but he was held out once again as he remains on injured reserve. Even if the 26-year-old is activated ahead of Thursday's matchup, Juuse Saros appears likely to serve as the Predators' starter against San Jose.
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Predators' Justus Annunen: Not yet activated
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Annunen (undisclosed) remains on injured reserve and won't suit up versus the Golden Knights on Tuesday, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.
Annunen was labeled a game-time decision, but he won't make his return Tuesday. Matt Murray will serve as Juuse Saros' backup for another game. Annunen may be close to a return, with his next chance to suit up being Thursday versus the Sharks.
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Predators' Justus Annunen: Game-time call Tuesday
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Annunen (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision versus the Knights on Tuesday, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.
Even if Annunen is cleared and activated off injured reserve, he is likely to serve as the backup to Juuse Saros. With no back-to-backs on the short-term schedule, it's not clear when Annunen might make his season debut for the Predators, though he's unlikely to see a significant number of starts regardless.
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Predators' Justus Annunen: Unavailable Saturday
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Annunen (undisclosed) will miss Saturday's game against Dallas.
Annunen is day-to-day, so it remains to be seen if he'll be an option Tuesday in Toronto. Matt Murray was recalled from AHL Milwaukee on Saturday and will serve as the backup goaltender versus the Stars. Juuse Saros will get the start. Annunen hasn't played yet this season, but he had a 10-12-2 record, 2.68 GAA and .906 save percentage in 28 regular-season appearances with Nashville in 2025-26.
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Predators' Justus Annunen: Guarding goal Thursday
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Annunen will start in goal on the road versus the Hurricanes in Thursday's preseason game, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.
Annunen stopped 25 of 27 shots in his preseason debut versus the Lightning on Tuesday, earning an overtime win. He'll get another chance to play Thursday as he prepares to serve in the backup role behind Juuse Saros throughout 2026-27.
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Predators' Justus Annunen: Set to start Tuesday
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Annunen will start Tuesday's home preseason game versus the Lightning, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.
Annunen will get in some preseason work as he prepares for another year as backup to Juuse Saros. In 2025-26, Annunen made some improvements with a 2.68 GAA and a .906 save percentage over 28 appearances. While he's unlikely to get a lot of work, Annunen will be a serviceable fantasy streaming option in low-scoring matchups.
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Predators' Justus Annunen: Set to face Sharks
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Annunen was the first goalie off the ice at the morning skate, Alex Daugherty of The Tennessean reports, indicating he will patrol the home crease against San Jose on Monday.
Annunen will make his second straight start after he stopped 21 shots in Saturday's 2-1 win over Minnesota. He has won his last two outings while allowing only one goal on 65 shots. Annunen has a 10-11-2 record this campaign with one shutout, a 2.70 GAA and a .906 save percentage in 27 appearances. San Jose sits 18th in the league with 3.01 goals per game this season.
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Predators' Justus Annunen: Second straight sharp performance
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Annunen made 21 saves in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Wild.
Annunen took a shutout into the third when former teammate, Michael McCarron, who was traded to the Wild on March 3, beat him at 6:54. The netminder has been sharp lately, stopping 64 of 65 shots over his last two starts. With this performance, Annunen improved his stat line this season to 10-11-3 with a 2.70 GAA, .907 save percentage and one shutout.
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Predators' Justus Annunen: Starting in Anaheim
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Annunen will protect the road goal versus the Ducks on Tuesday, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.
Annunen will get his second start of the Predators' road trip, and it comes in the second half of a back-to-back. The 26-year-old has lost his last two outings, allowing six goals on 57 shots in those games. The Ducks have gone 0-4-1 with 14 goals scored over their last five games.
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Predators' Justus Annunen: Beaten three times Sunday
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Annunen stopped 25 of 28 shots in Sunday's 3-2 loss to the Lightning.
Annunen didn't play in the 4-1 loss to Montreal on Saturday, but he's lost back-to-back starts for the second time since the beginning of the month. Annunen has also posted a save percentage below .900 in three of his six starts since the beginning of March, and given the Predators' recent defensive struggles, it's hard to trust the 26-year-old in most formats right now, especially since he's a matchup-based option as the backup behind Juuse Saros.
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Predators' Justus Annunen: Starting trip opener
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Annunen will get the start in net for Sunday's game against the Lightning, Brooks Bratten of the Predators' official site reports.
Annunen's three-game streak of games with a save percentage of .900 or better was snapped last time out as he surrendered three goals on 29 shots in a loss to the Devils. He'll be fighting an uphill battle in his effort to rebound Sunday against the Lightning, who have scored at least three goals in seven straight games. The 26-year-old Annunen has an 8-10-2 record on the season with a 2.90 GAA and an .898 save percentage.
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Predators' Justus Annunen: First goalie off Thursday
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Annunen was the first goalie to leave the ice Thursday, Alex Daugherty of The Tennessean reports, indicating he'll patrol the crease at home versus the Devils.
Annunen allowed just two goals on 66 combined shots over his last two outings, securing victories over the Golden Knights and the Kraken. With the Predators clinging to a wild-card spot, they likely will ride the hot hand and continue to give Annunen plenty of opportunities down the stretch.
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Predators' Justus Annunen: Sharp again Saturday
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Annunen stopped 39 shots in Saturday's 4-1 win over the Golden Knights.
A Shea Theodore power-play tally in the second period ruined his shutout bid, but Annunen was once again impressive as he fills in for the injured Juuse Saros (upper body). Annunen has allowed three goals or fewer in all five of his starts since the Olympic break, going 3-2-0 with a stellar .940 save percentage, and he'll likely see a heavy workload as long as Saros is sidelined.
